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Vet Interview PreparationThe Comprehensive Vet Topics Guide for DVM Programs
The ethics, professional knowledge and current issues vet school interviewers expect, with arguments on each side.
4
Main Parts
18
Key Topics
4
Quick Checks
How to Use This Guide
Vet interviews test whether you can balance animal welfare, owners' wishes, money and public health, and whether you understand the profession's real pressures.
Key Insight
Every vet answer has two clients: the animal and the owner.
Part I
Ethical Foundations
The frameworks behind veterinary ethics.
AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics
Stewardship
Alleviate suffering and promote health, balancing patients, clients, the environment and the public.
Integrity
Honesty and independent professional judgment.
Respect
For patients, clients, colleagues and self.
The AVMA's code also says vets have an ethical responsibility to report suspected cruelty, and that "humans, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked."
Quick Check
Test your understanding
Which is one of the AVMA's three principles of veterinary medical ethics?
Animal Welfare Frameworks
The Five Domains model (Mellor et al., 2020) assesses welfare across nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental state. Know the difference between animal welfare (how an animal is faring) and animal rights (a philosophical position on animal use).
Canada and UK Codes
- Ontario's PAWS Act requires vets to report suspected abuse
- CVMA: reporting is mandatory in most of Canada
- RCVS (UK): reporting without consent is permitted, not mandatory
- RCVS: no vet is obliged to kill a healthy animal
Part II
Understanding the Profession
Careers, relationships and licensing.
Careers in Veterinary Medicine
Companion animal, mixed and food-animal practice, equine, shelter medicine, public health, research, industry and government. Many schools value commitment to rural and food-animal practice.
The VCPR and Telemedicine
A VCPR means the vet has taken responsibility for medical judgments, knows the patient through a timely exam or farm visits, and arranges follow-up. The AVMA notes only a few US states allow a VCPR to be established electronically. The CVMA's 2026 position says virtual care requires a licence and a valid VCPR.
Allow virtual VCPRs
Access in rural areas
Convenience
Convenience
Concerns
Missed diagnoses
Antimicrobial misuse
Continuity
Antimicrobial misuse
Continuity
The Admissions Landscape
- AAVMC: 13,174 applicants for the Class of 2030
- Canada has five DVM schools, mostly with regional seats
- MMIs at UC Davis, Texas A&M, Virginia-Maryland and Calgary
- Cornell doesn't interview; Colorado State cancelled its MMI
Part III
Current Issues
The debates most likely to come up.
The Rural Vet Shortage
The CVMA says Canada must address the shortage "on an urgent basis". Montréal created a farm-animal admission category in 2020. In the US, the USDA repays up to $40,000 a year of loans for service in shortage areas.
Mental Health
A CDC survey found serious psychological distress in 6.8% of male and 10.9% of female vets. Contributing factors often discussed include euthanasia, client conflict, cost pressure and debt.
UK Price Reform
The UK competition regulator found prices rose 63% from 2016 to 2023, and six large groups own over 60% of practices (up from 10% in 2013). Its 2026 remedies include price lists, written estimates for treatment over £500, and prescription fees capped at £21 for the first medicine.
Quick Check
Test your understanding
By how much did UK vet prices rise from 2016 to 2023, according to the competition regulator?
H5N1 and One Health
H5N1 was first confirmed in US dairy cattle in March 2024. The CDC counts 71 US human cases since 2024 and calls the public risk low.
Mid-Level Practitioners
Colorado voters approved Proposition 129 in November 2024, creating the veterinary professional associate. VPAs practise under supervision; a vet may supervise at most three.
For
Access
Lower costs
Lower costs
Against
Training gaps
Patient safety
Role confusion
Patient safety
Role confusion
Pet Insurance
NAPHIA reports 7.6 million insured pets in North America at the end of 2025, up from 7.03 million in 2024.
Part IV
Professional Conduct
The scenarios behind most vet ethics stations.
Convenience Euthanasia
The RCVS says no vet is obliged to kill a healthy animal, but notes refusing may add to owner distress and harm welfare. Explore rehoming and alternatives before deciding.
Quick Check
Test your understanding
An owner asks you to euthanize a healthy dog because they're moving. The best first step is to:
Cost of Care
The AVMA asks vets to offer a range of options. The RCVS says inability to pay shouldn't prevent first aid and pain relief, which may include euthanasia.
Suspected Abuse
Report suspected abuse where required (as in Ontario) and document carefully. Personal relationships don't change the duty.
Antimicrobials
Since December 1, 2018, medically important antimicrobials for animals have been prescription-only in Canada. A valid VCPR is required to prescribe.
Corporate Pressure
The AVMA says vets' medical judgment shouldn't be unduly influenced by employer production quotas.
Final Section
Preparing for Interview Success
Bring it together.
Keys to Vet Interview Success
Two Clients
Animal and owner.
Options
Spectrum of care.
One Health
Animals, people, environment.
Resilience
Honest about the hard parts.
Final Words
Show them the vet owners will trust.
You're ready.
You're ready.